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Youth Day 2024

Youth Day 2024

by | Jun 15, 2024 | Community and Engagement, Decolonising Psychology (DP), Events and Announcements, Mental Health Calendar

Youth Day – 16 June 2024

“Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians” – Nelson Mandela

Written by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance Youth League

 

Activism, when viewed through the lens of consciousness, becomes an enlightening endeavour that addresses the myriad sufferings observed worldwide. This recognition highlights the importance of conscientisation, ensuring that the work toward liberation continues. The struggle encompasses the suffering of the citizens of the entire world.

The parallel between apartheid South Africa and apartheid Israel is unmistakable. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “I have been to occupied Palestinian territory, and I have witnessed the racially segregated roads and housing that reminded me so much of the conditions we experienced in South Africa under the racist system of apartheid.” This theme underpins the broader concept of oppression and that all struggles are interconnected. Our collective liberation and solidarity are a means of complete freedom from all forms of oppression. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”

June 16th, Youth Day, is a poignant reminder of the Soweto Uprising of 1976 where thousands of students of colour protested against the oppressive apartheid regime. Their bravery and determination in the face of brutal repression embody the spirit of activism. Without the bravery of these young activists, we, as South Africans, would never have tasted freedom.

Similarly, today’s youth across the globe are rising in solidarity against apartheid in Israel, with Palestinian youth such as Bisan Owda, Muna El Kurd, and Motaz Azaiza transforming activism as we know it. These young leaders resisted oppression with their phones, using social media platforms to inform the world about Israel’s crimes against humanity. Their efforts have sparked a global uprising, making “Free Palestine” a widespread topic of conversation. The bravery of these youth activists, who provide raw footage of events on the ground, has debunked Israeli propaganda. With authentic video evidence being shared widely, Palestine is finally winning the narrative war for the first time in 76 years.  

Today, student uprisings and encampments have spread across campuses worldwide in support of the people of Palestine. From Wits University to Harvard University, students are organising, protesting, and raising awareness about the plight of Palestinians. These movements echo the spirit of the Soweto Uprising, demonstrating the power of youth to effect change and the enduring importance of activism in the fight for justice. Activism rooted in consciousness demands an understanding of the suffering of those who lack a platform to advocate for themselves.

The similarities between struggles of today’s youth in Palestine and the youth of South Africa can be clearly seen. Youth unemployment is on the rise, resulting in extreme poverty both here in South Africa and in Gaza. Nearly 85% of Gaza’s population is displaced, and the illegal siege on Gaza has left thousands without proper sanitation or running water. Similarly, many South African citizens experience similar struggles. Period poverty is a real issue faced by both Palestinians and South Africans. Education has been halted in Gaza due to schools and universities being turned into rubble and the unimaginable number of students and educators murdered. Similarly, the education system in South Africa has failed us due to the lack of resources. These are just a few of the struggles faced by both Palestinians and South Africans. That’s why when we fight for justice we fight for the justice of all people.

In conclusion, the role of activism in our societies is crucial in order to achieve complete liberation for all. As we reflect on Youth Day and the sacrifices made by young South Africans in the fight against apartheid, we must renew our commitment to global solidarity. By standing together and supporting one another, we can create a world where freedom and justice prevail for everyone.

Climate Change and Climate Justice – Reflecting on Psychology, Community Psychology, The Streetlight Effect*, Social Change and Questions of Scale” (*Not a Psychological Finding!)

by | Jun 13, 2024 | Climate, Environment and Psychology (CEP), Events and Announcements, Psychology Events

 Climate Change and Climate Justice – Reflecting on Psychology, Community Psychology, The Streetlight Effect*, Social Change and Questions of Scale” (*Not a Psychological Finding!)

Date: 25 September 2024

Time: 16h15

About the webinar: Back in 2018, before the pandemic, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) noted that “rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure (including transport and buildings), and industrial systems” were needed, that were “unprecedented in terms of scale”. Globally, these changes are not happening fast enough and limiting global warming to 1.5°C seems to be beyond us as a planet.

Against the above backdrop, this webinar, will provide no easy answers, but does seek to explore, the climate and ecological emergencies, wider social challenges and climate justice. It will discuss what this means for psychology, community psychology, and the well-intentioned people (the speaker hopefully included) who are trying to make a positive difference.

Reflecting on some of his own, limited, climate related research, and his wider activities outside of the academy, Dr Miles Thompson will share some thinking and facilitate some wider discussion around our current challenges, and both the potential and possibly the potential shortcomings of mainstream psychology and community psychologies in addressing the enormity of the unfolding poly-crisis.

 
Click Here To Join!
Meet The Presenter

Dr Miles Thompson is an Associate Professor in Psychology at UWE Bristol in the UK. He leads a final year undergraduate module called “Psychology and Social Justice”. He is also the lead of UWE’s Psychological Sciences Research Group (PSRG).

Miles’ main research interests are in psychology and its relationship to social, global and environmental justice and change. For Miles, these interests are often approached through the lens of community, critical community and liberation psychologies.

Miles is a clinical psychologist by background, registered with the UK’s HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) and a Fellow of the UK’s Higher Education Academy (HEA). He worked full-time in the NHS at the Bath Centre for Pain Services from 2005 until 2011. Prior to working at UWE, he worked as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University. His PhD was awarded by Goldsmiths, University of London (2016). And his Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) by the University of Plymouth (2005).

The Role of Psychometrics in Predicting Workplace Performance

The Role of Psychometrics in Predicting Workplace Performance

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Division for Research and Methodology (DRM), Events and Announcements, Psychology Events

The Role of Psychometrics in Predicting Workplace Performance

Date: 20 June 2024

Time: 12h00 to 13h00

About the webinar: High potential employees are up to eight times more productive than others (McKinsey, 2023) and three times more likely to stay with organisations if their leaders have good interpersonal skills (HBR, 2022). As organisations increasingly recognise the importance of understanding the factors that influence employee performance, the need to critically evaluate the value of psychometric assessments, amongst other selection methods, has become crucial. This webinar therefore provides an overview of what should be considered when determining whether a psychometric assessment is fit for purpose, how standardised and fair assessment usage increases organisational effectiveness, and concludes by discussing various approaches to measuring the ROI of psychometrics.

 
Click Here To Join!
Meet The Presenter

Dr Pakeezah Rajab is a Senior Researcher at JVR Psychometrics and an executive member on a number of PsySSA structures. Her PhD focused on non-intellectual factors that influence mathematics performance in South Africa, and Pakeezah was awarded the International Test Commission Early Career Scholarship (2024) for this study. She has experience applying psychometric results to a variety of contexts, including schools, private practice, higher education, and corporate environments. Pakeezah has worked on numerous projects that developed, validated and/or standardised assessments for use by the South African population – including aptitude, personality, values, career guidance and emotional intelligence. Her research interests include cognitive functioning, student performance and assessment development.

World Environment Day – 5 June

World Environment Day – 5 June

by | Jun 5, 2024 | Community and Engagement, Decolonising Psychology (DP), Events and Announcements

World Environment Day – 5 June 

If the Earth Could Speak: In Solidarity with the Environment

PsySSA Decolonising Psychology Division

 

On the 5th of June each year, since the early 1970s, the world celebrates World Environment Day. This year’s theme is Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. But what does it mean for the world to observe this day, especially at such unprecedented times when we continue to bear witness to environmental destruction and the social suffering of individuals and communities in different parts of the world?

For many, World Environment Day serves as a flagship moment to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment and to raise awareness of various perilous environmental issues, such as land degradation, desertification, water insecurity, drought, global warming, pollution, overpopulation, and sustainable development. Given the global crises of recent times, such as the devastating wildfires in Australia, California and the Amazon, the unprecedented melting of polar ice caps, the severe droughts and water crises affecting regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health and economies, the escalating climate- and war-induced migration and displacement, as well as the significant environmental destruction and loss of biodiversity in Gaza due to the current genocide, this year’s World Environment Day is also a pressing reminder for the world to reflect more critically on what it means to co-exist with the environment and to act to address the intersecting and escalating challenges related to environmental justice, social justice, human rights, and sustainable development.

On this day, all eyes should be on the ongoing suffering and widespread destruction of the environment, alongside human life, in places like Palestine, Congo, Sudan, as well as other regions worldwide that continue to experience severe environmental degradation as a result of human actions often directly related to colonisation, imperialism and capitalism. The reminder on this World Environment Day is then for us all, in our individual and collective endeavours for social liberation, to support the protection and sustainability of the environment.

The environment is a source of life for all that lives; being one with it is fundamental to our existence. As such, there is an imperative need for a comprehensive and holistic strategy that integrates environmental health with human well-being, acknowledging that human suffering and environmental degradation are deeply intertwined. By nurturing the environment and fostering a more compassionate, equitable and sustainable connection with our planet, not only do we honour World Environment Day but we also pave the way for a more liberated and harmonious world.

Moreover, this pivotal moment in our planetary epoch urges us to reassess our individual and collective impact on the environment and Earth, and to adopt more sustainable practices. This period, which is referred to as the Anthropocene, underscores human influence as a primary force shaping the planet’s future (see Oladejo et al., 2024). This era demands a critical shift in our behaviour, placing ecological well-being at the forefront. Thus, observing World Environment Day offers us a platform to collectively raise and unite our voices in calling for immediate and continuing transformative actions aimed at healing and safeguarding our environment and planet, ensuring its vitality for future generations.

Here are some proactive steps we can take to contribute to environmental protection. By incorporating these actions into our lives, we can collectively contribute to a healthier, more just, and more sustainable planet for current and future generations.

  • Engage in initiatives advocating for the sustainability of natural environments.
  • Support policies that safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
  • Raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.
  • Stand in solidarity with communities facing threats to their lands, habitats, and livelihoods, particularly those affected by environmental and social injustice.
  • Recycle waste materials such as plastic, paper, glass, and more.
  • Plant a tree that is indigenous to your environment.
  • Support renewable energy initiatives and transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • Reduce your carbon footprint by minimising energy consumption and adopting eco-friendly practices in daily life.
  • Practice sustainable agriculture and support local farmers who prioritise environmentally friendly farming methods.
  • Advocate for sustainable transportation options such as public transportation, biking, or carpooling.
  • Get involved in community clean-up efforts to help preserve natural habitats and reduce pollution.
  • Educate yourself and others about the importance of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

 References

Oladejo, A. O., Malherbe, N., & van Niekerk, A. (2024). Climate justice, capitalism, and the political role of the psychological professions. Review of General Psychology, 28(1), 3–16.

 

 

Men’s Health Month – June 2024

Men’s Health Month – June 2024

by | Jun 3, 2024 | Community & Social Psychology Division (CaSP), Community and Engagement, Division for Research and Methodology (DRM), Mental Health Advocacy, Mental Health Calendar, Psychology in Public Service (PiPS), PsySSA Announcements

Men’s Health Month – June 2024

Men’s Health Month – A Contribution from the CaSP Division

“The objective of Men’s Health Month is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month allows healthcare providers, public policymakers, the media, and individuals to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and prompt treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with thousands of awareness activities around the globe.”

Breaking the binds of a broken man- Men and Mental Health
By Christo Muller

I want to preface this article with a story. This is not a story of triumph or even a love story. This story starts with a young boy. Not much after his 10th birthday in fact. He met a wise man who used to be a very powerful warrior. He used to regale the children of his village with heroic stories of battle and facing many monsters that he encountered along the way. All the other children wanted to be like this great man, except this boy. The man was intrigued by this boy as he never marveled at the battles with the sea monsters or the trolls in the mountain but rather he showed interest in why the man chose to face these challenges. One day the boy saw the aged warrior sitting under a tree overlooking the valley. Cautiously the boy approached him, “Sir, do you mind if I join you?” He asked. “Certainly my boy!” He replied enthusiastically, as if his loneliness spoke on his behalf. The boy sat down in silence next to the retired warrior.

After a short while the man asks “Do you want to hear some of my stories? The great battles? The powerful monsters?”. “Yes sir, but I don’t want to hear the stories you tell the other children in the village.” Responded the boy while picking little blades of grass. “No? Which stories do you want to hear?” The man asked surprisingly. “I want to hear the story of why you went on these adventures. Why do you never tell us about the failures or the friends you had? I know all of the stories of what you had done but you never told us what scared you or anything other than what you think we want to see when we think of you.” the boy said in a very kind manner. The old warrior was silent, clearly taken aback by this. “What do you mean boy? My stories are the ones that will carry my name into history and songs, like all the warriors before me. That is the way of the great warriors.” He retorted almost gleefully.

“That is the thing that I do not understand sir, you want to be remembered for all your great deeds and heroic labours to inspire others to be like you, but you don’t want others to know who you were as a person.” The boy countered. “Who I am does not matter as much as what I accomplished to those who seek to be like me, little boy, the person I am may just break down the legacy I am meant to leave behind.” The old man says honestly. “Oh, can I ask you a question? To you, not to the warrior you are meant to be.” The boy says while taking the time away from his meticulous grass picking. The old man nodded. “What is the hardest thing you have ever done?” The boy asked. “Admitting to my fellow warriors that I am scared of facing the monster that we are sent to slay.” The old man said. “What scares you the most?” The boy asked while moving closer to the old man. As a tear ran down his war battered cheek the old man said: “Asking for help”…

The purpose of this story is not to take away from those who seem to have conquered all but rather to share the idea of how society has influenced the stigma of men’s mental health. You never know what those around you may be going through. From the automated responses of “Im fine” to the isolated patterns of emotional acting. The newest war that the world is facing is the mental health war. Traditional masculinity which is supposedly influenced by the Stoic philosophy has created a battlefield the requires the hiding of wounds in fear of appearing weak. The reluctance to seek help, the fear of societal judgement and rejection has resulted in men falling into the abyss of addiction and suicidality.

Treatment of physical illness or injury is not frowned upon as to live a key requirement is to have a healthy body. When it comes to mental illness, so many of today’s men are bound by the painfully heavy bonds of masculinity. Emotions are for the weak. Everyone has issues and this is my burden to carry. Those who love me would rather see me die on the battlefield than see me fall off my horse. If Stoicism has taught us anything, reality needs to be accepted for what it is, not what we wish it to be. Acceptance is not approval but rather acknowledgement of fact.

Ask your male friends how they are doing. Check in on them and be honest with them how you are doing. Don’t fear not being fine. The actions, attitudes and thoughts you hang on to can be of value to you and others or they can be the whip that inflicts pain onto you.

Sometimes the bravest thing anyone can do is ask for help.

Mental Health Help Resources

https://www.groundup.org.za/article/how-accesspublic-mental-health-services

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ways-southafricans-take-care-of-mental-health/J

Start or join a support group / support group: www.sadag.org.

 

Download (PDF, 1.21MB)

Men’s Health Month – A Contribution from the DRM Division
by Mr Omphile Rammopo

Men’s Health Month in June focuses on raising awareness about the health challenges confronting men and advocating for early detection and treatment of diseases. In South Africa, this initiative holds significant relevance due to the distinctive health issues men encounter. These include high rates of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and diabetes, making men’s health a pressing public health concern demanding urgent attention (van Heerden et al., 2017).

A foremost concern in South Africa is the heightened prevalence of HIV/AIDS among men. Men exhibit lower rates of HIV testing and tend to seek healthcare only at advanced disease stages (Sileo  et al., 2018). This delay not only compromises their health outcomes but also elevates the risk of transmission to others, necessitating concerted efforts to promote regular HIV testing and early treatment.

Mental health emerges as another critical area necessitating attention. South African men often grapple with societal expectations to suppress emotions and avoid discussing mental health issues, potentially leading to adverse outcomes such as elevated suicide rates (Rammopo, 2021). Moreover, suppressed emotions may serve as a risk factor for functional neurological disorder, predisposing men to various physical health complications, including hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, and seizures. Facilitating open dialogues about mental health and ensuring accessibility to mental health services are crucial steps in addressing this issue effectively.

Additionally, substance abuse, particularly alcohol consumption, represents a significant concern among South African men (Lawana & Booysen, 2018; Mohale & Mokwena, 2020). This behaviour is associated with diverse health ramifications, including liver disease, cardiovascular complications, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension (Parry et al., 2011), and heightened risks of accidents and violence. Hence, public health campaigns aimed at curtailing alcohol consumption and advocating healthier lifestyles play a pivotal role in mitigating this issue.

Addressing lifestyle factors such as poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking is also crucial in mitigating men’s health conditions in South Africa and globally. Encouraging regular health check-ups, promoting healthier dietary practices, and advocating for increased physical activity can play a significant role in alleviating the burden of NCDs among men.

Men’s Health Month serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative to address the unique health challenges confronting men in South Africa. Through concerted efforts encompassing awareness-raising, early detection and treatment initiatives, and promotion of healthy behaviours, tangible strides can be made toward enhancing health outcomes and reducing the burden of preventable diseases among men.

Reference List

Lawana, N., & Booysen, F. (2018). Decomposing socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use by men living in South African urban informal settlements. BMC Public Health, 18, 1-9.

Mohale, D., & Mokwena, K. E. (2020). Substance use amongst high school learners in the south of Johannesburg: Is this the new norm?. South African Family Practice, 62(4), , e1–e6. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v62i1.5122

Parry, C. D., Patra, J., & Rehm, J. (2011). Alcohol consumption and non‐communicable diseases: epidemiology and policy implications. Addiction, 106(10), 1718-1724.

Rammopo, O. (2021). Constructions of Depression from Black Men Residing in Mabopane [Master’s thesis, University of Johannesburg]. UJ Content. https://hdl.handle.net/10210/501592

Sileo, K. M., Fielding-Miller, R., Dworkin, S. L., & Fleming, P. J. (2018). What role do masculine norms play in men’s HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa?: a scoping review. AIDS and Behavior, 22, 2468-2479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2160-z

van Heerden, A., Barnabas, R. V., Norris, S. A., Micklesfield, L. K., van Rooyen, H., & Celum, C. (2017). High prevalence of HIV and non‐communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in rural KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. African Journal of Reproduction and Gynaecological Endoscopy, 20(2), e25012. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25012.

Men’s Health Month – A Contribution from the PiPS Division

The South African National Integrated Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2025 (the Strategy) is a framework for action to work towards the goal that Every South African man and boy is supported to live a long and healthy life. South African men generally have poor healthseeking behaviours and are less likely than women to engage health services across the care cascade, resulting in adverse clinical outcomes for many preventable illnesses. In addition, the health system misses key opportunities to engage with men who do seek services by not offering comprehensive and integrated services to those men who access services for specific conditions.

The Strategy aims to deliver a comprehensive and integrated package of care for men and boys across the life course. The overarching aim of the Strategy is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of South African men and boys. At the heart of the Strategy are four core objectives and associated actions that are designed to drive meaningful progress towards the Strategy’s overarching goal. These include a clear commitment to:

  • Empower and support men and boys to optimise their own and each other’s health and wellbeing.
  • Strengthen the capacity of the health system to provide quality appropriate preventative care for men and boys.
  • Ensure that men and boys receive treatment, care and support services for chronic conditions, as needed.
  • Build the evidence base for improving men’s health.

The Strategy advocates for a life-course approach in tailoring interventions to engage and support South Africa’s diverse men and boys across all stages of their lives, with a focus on adolescents (10-19 years); young adults (20-35 years); older men (above the ages of 35); and aging men (above the age of 50) as well as high risk men and boys.

Health is influenced by a complex range of factors, or health determinants. Targeted actions are identified to meet the Strategy’s goal and objectives – actions that require the engagement and collaboration of a wide range of stakeholders from across South Africa. They include all levels of government, the health sector, other sectors, with non-government organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs), researchers and experts, and, of course, with men and boys themselves.

Critical to the success of this Strategy is a clear commitment to implementation planning and to taking an active approach to evaluating, monitoring and communicating progress over time. By providing a framework for gender-focused health, this Strategy highlights South Africa’s commitment to taking collective action to create a healthier future for men and boys.

The Strategy identifies seven key priority health issues which have been identified as key causes of morbidity and mortality for all South African men:

  1. Mental health
  2. HIV and AIDS
  3. TB
  4. Sexual Health
  5. Chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol)
  6. Cardiovascular disease
  7. Prostate and testicular cancers

The following platforms are available for men, or those close to men who need mental health support:
Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800 12 13 14, SMS to 32312

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): 011 234 4837 or  0800 21 22 23 or 0800 12 13 14 (24Hrs) SMS to 31393, http://www.sadag.org

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567

References:

Welcome Ngwenya, M., & Olivia Sumbane, G. (2023). The Urgency of Access to Men-Centered Mental Healthcare Services to Address Men’s Sensitive Issues in the Communities of South Africa. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.108493 (https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/84694)

The South African National Integrated Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2025 (https://knowledgehub.health.gov.za/system/files/elibdownloads/2023-04/Men%2526%2523039%253Bs%2520Health%2520Strategy.pdf)

HPSIG Podcast: What exactly is Health Psychology, and why does it matter in South Africa?

HPSIG Podcast: What exactly is Health Psychology, and why does it matter in South Africa?

by | Jun 3, 2024 | Health Psychology (HP), Professional Resources, PsyCAST

EPISODE 24

HPSIG Podcasts

 

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HPSIG Podcast: What exactly is Health Psychology, and why does it matter in South Africa?

by Dr. Bronwyne Coetzee

In this episode, we speak to Dr Bronwyne Coetzee, a psychology researcher and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, who provides a clear overview of health psychology. In this podcast, Dr Coetzee argues for its critical importance within a context of rising non-communicable diseases, syndemics, and substantial structural barriers to health. In addition, she explains the field’s current status as a formally unrecognised sub-discipline within the country, and discusses the next steps required to establish it as a professional registration and subject of university programs.